Simultaneous ultrasonic cross-correlation and transit time measurements for multiphase flow rate analysis

摘要

Pairs of acoustic transducers positioned at different radial distances in a conduit are used to measure travel times of acoustic signals in opposite directions and inclined to the direction of a fluid flow in the borehole. These contrapropagation measurements are used to estimate fluid velocity and volumetric flow rates of the fluid components in the conduit.

主权项

1. An apparatus configured to estimate a volumetric flow rate of each fluid in a mixture of a plurality of fluids in a conduit, the plurality of fluids having a stratified flow, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of contrapropagation detectors arranged in the stratified flow at a plurality of radial distances from a center of the conduit; and a first support member configured to support a first subset of the plurality of contrapropagation detectors; the first subset comprising at least two detectors, and a second support member axially spaced apart from the first support member and configured to support a second subset of the plurality of contrapropagation detectors, the second subset comprising at least two detectors; and at least one processor configured to:
use travel time measurements made by at least one of the contrapropagation detectors to estimate a velocity of flow of each of the fluids, andestimate the volumetric flow rate of each fluid using the estimated velocity of flow of each of the fluids.